HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are two paths that people walk in this life. Both are eternal . One leads to eternal death and the other leads to eternal life . Let it be realized at this point that death in the bible never was defined as ceasing to exist. The Greek word for death was “Thanatos”. It always meant separation. Natural death is separation of the Body and Spirit. Spiritual death is separation of man and God. Eternal spiritual death means the eternal separation of man and God. Life ( Greek word “zoe” ) as defined in the bible means union. Spiritual eternal life then means a eternal union between man and God. This is only brought about by careful selection of the path that you travel.
This bible study is designed to help you to get onto the right path by
1-Righly dividing the word of God, 2-Revealing the importance of believing the apostles doctrine for Christians today. 3-and revealing what the apostles taught about a: Salvation b: Jesus Christ.
Read 2 Timothy 2:15
Paul writing to Timothy says that we must rightly divide the word of God.
Read Hebrews 9:16-17
What must occur before a testament is in effect? (Death of the Testator) Testament is the same as a will so the writer of the will must die for it to be placed in effect.
In rightly dividing the word of God we find there are four divisions ofthe New Testament.
1-The first division is THE GOSPELS which covers the birth, life, death of John the Baptist, birth and the life, words, and works of Jesus Christ as well as his death, burial,and resurrection. Since the testator dies at the end of these books there is no New Testament church established in the gospels. Read the opening of the book of Acts.
Why are there 4 different books in the Gospel? The answer is that the gospels were written for people of different cultures to be able to understand them. The Gospels were Written to the following cultures:
The book of Matthew who was the Jewish tax collector an Apostle was written to the Jews
The book of Mark which is his Roman name was written to the Romans
The book of Luke a physician was written to the Gentiles
The book of John was written to the church that we might know that Jesus Christ was the son of God.
2-The second division is the book of THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES which covers the actions, teaching and preaching of the Apostles. Jesus Christ had personally trained these men to establish the New Testament church and this is a record of them fulfilling the task. This book could be called the book for salvation.
3-The third division is called THE EPISTLES and covers the letters written by the Apostles to either Churches or Christian Individuals. Since these people were already saved they were not for the purpose of salvation. They were written to teach
Christians how to: 1-Live for God 2- How to Worship 3-Church Discipline 4-How to develop the fruit of the spirit. 5-To encourage and to strengthen them and their faith.
4-The fourth division is the book of PROPHECY which is the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ This book contains prophetical writings that Jesus Christ revealed to John.
Part 2
THE IMPORTANCE OF BELIEVING THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE
PLEASE READ SCRIPTURES AND FILL IN THE BLANKS
NOTICE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORD
MATT 18:16
How many witness’s are required for every word to be established? _____ or ______. Other references 2 Co. 13:1 Deut 19:15
M’t:18:16: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
2 Timothy 3:15-16
How much scripture is given by inspiration of God? ____
Paul said it is profitable for __________,for__________ for _________for_____________in righteousness.
2Tm:3:15: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
John 17:17
What is Truth?______________________________________.
Joh:17:17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 1:1,14
Who is the living word________________________________
John:1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh:1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 4:23-24
John says true worshiper must worship in ______&______.
John:4:23: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John:4:24: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
WHAT DID JESUS TEACH ABOUT SALVATION??
John 3:16-21
Jesus said that whosoever________ in him _______ not perish but have eternal life. Is there a difference between would and should? ____________
John:3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 7:38-39
If we believe on him according to ___ __________ We will receive the _________________. Notice Spirit and Holy Ghost are the same.
John:7:38: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39: (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
John 3:1-8
Lord told Nicodemus that a man must be born again of the _________ and the _________ to see or enter the Kingdom of God.
Jooh:3:1: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh:3:2: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4: Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8: The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Matt 7:13-24
Enter ye in at the _______ gate. Beware of false _______ which come to you in ________ clothing.
M’t:7:13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Who builds upon the rock? He who hears the sayings of Jesus and _____ them. Notice the word strait which refers to a narrow waterway.
NOTICE IMPORTANCE OF THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE TODAY
Luke 24:45-49
What did Jesus open? ____________that they might understand the ________________. What would be preached in his name? _________________ and ______________ of sins. What is his name?__________
Lu:24:45: Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Lu:24:46: And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: :47: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48: And ye are witnesses of these things. 49: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
GAL. 1:6-12
Must obey what the Apostles preached or we are accursed. Word we includes all the Apostles. Some will pervert it ( Change it ). They are the ones to fear. That’s how you can tell a false prophet.
Ga:1:6: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ 8: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9: As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
ACTS 2:42
Who’s doctrine did they continue in? ___________.
Ac:2:42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2 EPHESIANS 2:18-22
The Church is built upon the foundation of the __________ and the ___________.
Why them?
Eph:2:18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21: In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Timothy 4:1-4
Paul says to preach the time will come when men will not endure sound ____________. They will turn their ears from hearing the truth. What truth? The one taught by the Apostles.
2Tm:4:1: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Timothy 1:3
Teach no other doctrine. What doctrine? The One taught by the Apostles. The Apostle Paul is doing the writing.
1Tm:1:3: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 4:13-16
Giving heed to __________ will save both thyself and them that heareth thee.
1Tm:4:13: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14: Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15: Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16: Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 JOHN 4:6
Apostles are of God, he that is of God heareth them. This is how we know truth from error.
1Jo:4:6: We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
WERE THE APOSTLES BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS??
Acts 2:1-4
This is a description of how the Apostles received the Holy Ghost. How many were filled with the Holy Ghost? ____. What did they speak? In ______ ______as the Spirit gave them________.
Ac:2:1: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Part 3
WHAT DID THE APOSTLES TEACH ABOUT SALVATION
JUDE 3
They preached a common plan of salvation-all had the same message- One once delivered to Saints.
Jude:1:3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Acts 1:4-5
As we enter the book of Acts we discover almost immediately that the promise of the Father is the __________ of the _______ ________.
Ac:1:4: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:36-39
When the people felt sorry for their sins and asked Peter and the Apostles what they should do, what was Peters reply? ____________ and be _____________ every one of you in the _______of _________ _______ for the _____________ of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the __________ ___________. Does this fulfill Luke 24:45-49
Ac:2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Does these scriptures fulfill the requirement of John 3:5.
Joh:3:5: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
STUDY THESE OTHER EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE BEING BORN AGAIN BY THE TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
PHILIP PREACHING TO THE SAMARITANS IN ACTS 8—
Some people say when they experienced joy, or when they believed in Jesus, or when they were baptized, they were automatically filled with the Holy Ghost. What does the word say?
Acts 8:5-8
Did they have great joy? yes__no___ vs.12 Did they believe in Jesus Christ? yes__no___ vs 14-17 Were they baptized in his name? yes__no___ Did they receive the Holy Ghost as a separate and distinct experience? yes__no___
PETER PREACHING TO THE GENTILES IN ACTS 10
Some people say they are religious enough or that the Spirit-baptism evidenced by tongues was only for the Day of Pentecost. If the word says this then it is true but if the Word through Cornelius’experience reveals that this is not true -then it is not.
10:vs 1-2 -Was Cornelius a religious man? yes__no__
vs. 5-6 -Did God have more for him to do? yes__no__
vs.44-46 -Did they receive the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues after the day of Pentecost? yes__no__
vs. 47-48 -Did they still have to be baptized in the name of Jesus? yes__no__
PAUL PREACHING TO JOHN’S DISCIPLES IN ACTS 19—
Some say you do not have to be baptized or rebaptized. Many people who are believers have not heard of the Holy Ghost that is promised to them. Others say it does not matter what was spoken over them. What does the bible show us about this?
Acts 19:1-2 -They were believers, but had they heard of, or received the Holy Ghost? yes__no__
vs.3-5 -Did those baptized by John the Baptist have to be rebaptized in Jesus Name? yes__no__
HERE ARE SOME REFERENCES TO HELP YOU IN THIS BIBLE STUDY
CANNEY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION ,page 53 -The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
HASTINGS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION ,vol 2-christian baptism was administered using the words,”in the name of Jesus.” page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr.Page 389
SCHAFF-HERZOG RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA. Vol. 1 pg. 435- The new testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
CATHOLIC ENCYLOPEDIA . Vol 2 page 263 -Here the authors acknowledge that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.
DOES THE ABOVE CONTRADICT MATTHEW 28:19?
____! The word name in this scripture is in the singular denoting
one name. That name was Jesus.
WHAT DID THE APOSTLES TEACH ABOUT WHO JESUS WAS?
EPHESIANS 4:5
Apostle Paul says there is only one Lord.
ACT 2:36
Luke says he has been made both Lord and Christ
JOHN 1:1,14
John says he was the god (word) made flesh.
WHO DID THE PROPHETS SAY JESUS WOULD BE??
ISAIAH 9:6
He would be called ______________, _____________, ______
_________ ________, _____ _____________ __________ The Prince of
peace.
ZECHARIAH 14:9
In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
JOB 13:6-10
How many Persons should we accept? _______
From the above scriptures we conclude that we must, Believe in Jesus Christ, believe the word of God, follow the teaching of the Apostles, and be born again of the water and the Spirit.
